NEW DELHI: Two girls, aged two and three, suffered 50 per cent burn injuries after the car they were playing in caught fire this morning in outer Delhi's Sultanpuri area.
The cousins loved to play in the Swift Dzire. The incident happened when their grandmother was inside the house and their parents were away, said a senior police officer.
The vehicle was parked inside the garage and the children were inside the car.
"No foul play is suspected as the car was parked in the premises of their house. It is suspected that the fire broke out due to a short-circuit in the wiring system below the steering wheel," said the officer, adding that forensic teams are examining the vehicle.
He also said that while playing, the girls might have pulled some wire that could have led to the short-circuit, causing the fire.
It was a normal practice for their father to leave his car open so that the girls could climb in and play. Their grandmother, somehow, couldn't hear their cries for help and it was only after she saw flames coming from the car, that she raised an alarm, he said.
The girls have sustained 50 per cent burn injuries and are currently in separate wards in Safdarjung Hospital.
According to a senior officer of Delhi Fire Services, a call was received at 9.45 AM about a fire in the car. By the time fire tenders reached, the girls had been rescued by locals who had somehow managed to douse some of the flames using water and taken them to a nearby hospital, he said.
They were later referred to Safdarjang Hospital because of the severe burn injuries on their chest and hands.
The fire was doused within an hour, he added.
A case has been registered by police under sections of causing damage due to fire and further probe is underway.